• Denmark has joined the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force (GSLTF), a task force working to make polluters pay to finance climate and development action
  • This announcement comes in the wake of a packed United Nations General Assembly schedule for the task force, as Heads of State, sherpas and co-chairs gathered in New York to further progress on solidarity levies discussions
  • During the 4P Leaders’ working lunch at the United Nations General Assembly, world leaders reaffirmed their support for innovative financing mechanisms like solidarity levies, and called for ambitious reforms of the international financial system.

Denmark has added its weight to the growing global call for more equitable climate and development finance sources, becoming the latest country to join the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force (GSLTF).

The task force, convened at COP28 in November 2023 and led by France, Barbados, and Kenya, unites countries to develop international levies that raise critical funds for climate action, development, and nature, while working to balance the global financial system by making polluters pay.

This move follows a Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P) event where world leaders gathered on the margins of the UN General Assembly to emphasise the need for innovative tools like debt-for-climate swaps, solidarity levies, and climate-resilient debt clauses to tackle financial and climate challenges. It marks a key step in advancing climate finance solutions ahead of COP30 in 2025, where the task force will propose practical options for international solidarity levies to support a just transition to a net-zero economy.

Task force secretariat co-chair Laurence Tubiana, the architect of the Paris Agreement, delivered an address at the UN Summit of the Future, which runs during UNGA.

Rasmus Stoklund, Minister of Taxation, Denmark, said:

“Denmark is leading the way, using taxes and levies to support the green transition. We are facing a global challenge, and I am glad we are joining the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, so Denmark can contribute to the continuing development on an international level – together with strong partners.”

Ali Mohamed, Climate Change Envoy for Kenya and Sherpa to the task force, encouraged other African countries to join the task force, saying:

“It was encouraging to see so many countries represented at the table. In the African Leaders’ Nairobi Declaration, we explored comprehensive reforms to the global financial system.

“The current structure has hindered the progress of developing nations, and it is crucial that we find additional, predictable sources of financing. Solidarity levies can play a pivotal role in achieving this, and I urge countries across Africa and the world to support these efforts.”

Laurence Tubiana, co-lead of the task force Secretariat and the architect of the Paris Climate Agreement, welcomed Denmark to the task force, saying:

“The escalating costs of climate change demand urgent action. As a global community, we must do more to scale up climate and development finance through the polluter pays principle. Solidarity levies can generate urgently needed finance, while building on a solid precedent.

“We are delighted to welcome Denmark as a member of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, and we thank them for their leadership. Our ambition is to have over 20 members by COP29, ahead of publishing our proposals for solidarity levies next year. Denmark joining brings us one step closer to that aim and we encourage more countries to follow.”

Denmark’s participation reflects a growing commitment among both emerging and developed economies to play a key role in shaping global financial policy to address the many challenges faced by developing and vulnerable countries on the frontlines of climate change. Their addition brings the task force membership to twelve: France, Kenya, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Senegal, Marshal Islands, Colombia, Spain, Denmark, European Commission (observer), African Union (observer), Germany (observer).

In addition to task force members, countries such as South Africa, UK, Brazil, Netherlands, Zambia, Portugal, Togo, Ireland, Tuvalu, Burundi, Guatemala, Fiji and Belize, engaged with the task force. These countries attended the sherpa meeting or a convening of climate community leaders and UNFCCC delegations on solidarity levies, hosted by the International Peace Institute and Oxford Climate Policy.

The task force is considering how to introduce solidarity levies in five areas: aviation, shipping, financial transactions, fossil fuels and carbon pricing. Research is currently underway looking at the technical and political feasibility of each levy. The task force will provide an update on its work at COP29, while detailed proposals will be published next year.

Countries from around the world are invited to join the task force and participate in the process of developing new solidarity levies, building political will for their implementation.

For further information, please contact: [email protected]